Soon-to-be PAST Pres Jeff called the meeting to order and asked Scott Dowds to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. LeRoy Fulton led a rousing chorus of “For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow” in Jeff’s honor, followed by “Smile”.  Leslie McCarthy introduced our visitors and guests: Bill Christensen (Orange Rotary), Sylvia Mickler (Newport Beach Sunrise and guest of Allyn Lean); and Casey Lins (guest, and pride and joy of Joe Lins).

Theresa Harvey, as a follow up to the Chamber’s Business of the Year dinner, called Clare McKinna to the podium. The YMCA was recognized as the “Quality of Life” winner. Clare was presented with certificates from state Sen. Lou Correa and Don Bankhead presented a certificate from the City of Fullerton

Jim Williams announced that the Club is four votes short of the tally needed to demote Jeff Hutchison. Demotion “ballots” (i.e. sign up sheets for Demotion Night) were distributed. Flyers describing Demotion Night were highlighted, prompting Ken Kaisch to inquire about the use of red ink and the symbolism thereof. Zoot Zelasco announced an upcoming fundraiser for our Sister City Association. Featured at the Muck are art works from eight Korean artists of renown. Kim Barlow announced the upcoming Mardis Gras fundraiser for WTLC. She also announced the great news that the City of Costa Mesa will buy the OC Fairgrounds. Kim is an attorney with Jones & Meyer, recognized by the Chamber as small business of the year. Pat Hartnett encouraged our participation in a District 5320-wide event at Angels stadium July 31 as a fundraiser for Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign. Rick Crane announced Armed Forces Day at the OC Flyers. Flyers baseball is also the destination for our annual three-club social event on July 16. Diane Masseth-Jones announced that, breaking with their 83-year tradition, the North Orange County YWCA will be inducting its first male board member. Griff Duncan shared the great news that two high school students (girl from El Dorado HS and a boy from Lutheran HS) will participate in national finals at the Marquis Theater in New York. The winner will secure a 4-year college scholarship. Their participation is part of FCLO’s programs assisted by our club’s grants. Ray Ashcroft shared the thanks of the Assistance League expressed by Mary Ashcroft for a recent club grant to support their School Bell program.

Leslie McCarthy took the stage as Recognition Master, attempting to set a record for fines collected! Leslie first asked each table to identify the Rotarian will the most seniority at that particular table. All subsequent fines were directed to that individual. (Not naming names, but the designated individual at my table was disappointed to learn that, rather than keeping the collected fines for himself, he was obliged to turn them over to the Club’s collection agent, Blake Smith!). Les then started the fine extraction process by identifying Rotarians not wearing their Rotary pins. The $2 many of us contributed was only the beginning. Additional “recognitions” were extracted as follows: Lee Brockett, Mitch Hovey, Frank Kawase, Jeff Hutchison all for anniversaries (if my math is correct, a total of 116 years of wedded bliss!). Reminders for spousal birthdays were provided to Bill Mathy and Mike Oates. It was also announced that Blake Smith, celebrating his birthday, shared the date with Ross Perot. Chris Meyer was recognized for a Fullerton Observer story honoring Chris’s 34 years of service and announcing his retirement December 31.

Fred Johnson then presided over the raffle, calling the winner, Allyn Lean, to the podium. Allyn wisely chose a sports question and Tom Meyer (who else?) as his assistant. The question: Which NBA player holds the record for the most freethrows? Answer: Carol Malone. Fred then snuck in an announcement: On July 12, as part of the Home Run Derby, the Boys & Girls Club will be “coaching” a player, receiving a $10,000 donation for that effort. If their player wins the derby, the Boys & Girls Club will receive $50,000.

Allyn Lean, in his role as the club’s Foundation chair, called upon Jim Young to introduce the Paul Harris Fellow program. Vimal Seth then described one of our club’s joint international projects, enabled by foundation funds: we are part of a matching funds grant to a project in India providing vocational training to the blind. Sylvia Mickler, member of the Newport Sunrise Club, described our joint project in Kenya. Through our joint funding efforts, 18 computers will be provided to a girls school in Kenya. Sylvia further described the African Child Foundation, whose work with Kenyan orphans and other vulnerable youth, created the school that we are assisting. Founded by Father Henry Savaro, the 1^st African ordained Catholic priest, created this foundation to give back to his country of origin. The foundation has supplied food, clothing, education, and medical services, as well as several schools. Allyn thanked the foundation committee: Vimal Seth, Frank Kawase, Dan Ouweleen, Ken Kaisch, and Mike Oates for their efforts throughout the year. He also thanks Vern Andrews, chair of the club’s own foundation for his assistance.

Allyn also recognized the following new Paul Harris Fellows: Blake Smith and Deacon Jay Milam. Multiple PHF’s were also recognized: Bill Goetsch (PHF+1), Bill McGarvey (PHF+2), Buck Catlin (PHF+3), Bill Kinkaid (PHF+3), John Christensen (PHF+3), Bill Klinghoffer (PHF+4), Terri Grassi (PHF+5), and Cathy Gach (PHF+5). A well-deserved standing ovation was given to this generous groups of Rotarians!

Bill Klinghoffer introduced Miko Krisvoy for her craft talk. As a young child durinrg WWII, Miko’s parents relocated their young family from Tokyo to the country. When they returned at the end of the war, they found their family home destroyed. Her father built a tiny house (200 sq feet) for the family of five (she and her sister had been joined by a baby brother). They shared a water well with 12 other families. From her early years, Miko learned the value of hard work and self reliance. Five years later, the family moved to a larger home where her brother and his family continue to live. Miko studied interior design in college. Her dream was to travel to other countries and to continue her education. In 1968, Miko came to the United States. An American family sponsored Miko’s entry to the US and Miko worked for them as a nanny to their son. Miko still regards her sponsor as her “American mom”. Miko attended the Occidental College of Design. Miko’s mother retured at the age of 80, passing away at 93. Her “American mom” is still working as a designed at 83. From these women, Miko came to understand her own strength and to trust her own judgement.  Miko married Howard Krisvoy in 1974. The marriage produced a son and daughter, both now out of college and on their own. Miko’s husband retired from the export business and, after a string of accidents and illness, finally promised Miko that he would stay healthy. Miko closed her talk by sharing her own parable of the umbrella. While in Tokyo, Miko generously shared her umbrella during a heavy storm. The recipient of this gesture was preparing to leave for the United States. He introduced Miko to a family in the United States that would become her sponsors. To this day, Miko carries three umbrellas in her car – you never know when an act of kindness may be needed – and where it will lead!

Jeff thanked everyone for their support during his year at the helm, closing with this thought: “Do not stop exercising because you grow old, you grow old when you stop exercising.”

Meeting adjourned.